He remained ineligible despite presenting a negative HIV test result.
A Filipino man said he was deferred from donating blood for his mother after disclosing that he has a male partner. Despite presenting a negative HIV test result, he remained ineligible to donate.
In a July 19 TikTok post, the user shared a selfie video of himself wearing a face mask with the text, “gets ko yung protocol niyo DOH kaya di ako makapag donate ng dugo sa mama ko. Nakakalungkot lang na hindi ko matulungan mama ko dahil lang lalaki partner ko.”
“Yes gets kasi high risk and kahit magpresent ako ng negative result ko sa hiv galing sa medical ko sa new work ko bawal pero wala masakit parin sa pakiramdam,” his caption read.
@at.mvdolar Yes gets kasi high risk and kahit magpresent ako ng negative result ko sa hiv galing sa medical ko sa new work ko bawal pero wala masakit parin sa pakiramdam #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #doh #fyp ♬ Save My Soul – noahrinker
His comment section quickly filled with responses, including from users who identified themselves as medical professionals. They said the deferral follows existing blood donation protocols that aim to protect the safety of the blood supply. Screening process, they added, is based on risk assessment and considers factors beyond a person’s identity alone.
The discussion later reached Reddit, where many users shared explanations on how donor eligibility is determined and raised questions about current screening practices.
The National Blood Services Act of 1994, which aims to “provide for adequate, safe, affordable and equitable distribution of supply of blood and blood products,” requires a laboratory or institution with the capability to “recruit and screen blood donors, collect, process, store, transport and issue blood for transfusion and provide information and/or education on blood transfusion transmissible diseases.”
The author’s mention of a negative HIV test also prompted questions about why laboratory results alone may not determine donor eligibility. Many users pointed to what health authorities call the “window period,” or the time between acquiring an infection and when it can be detected through laboratory tests.
The World Health Organization has explained that because some infections may not immediately appear in tests, blood services use standardized donor questionnaires alongside laboratory screening to help identify potential risks.
These discussions also led users to clarify misconceptions about who can donate blood.
The WHO and the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies have said donor assessments are intended to evaluate potential risks related to blood safety and consider factors such as health history and possible exposure risks—rather than identity alone.
For many users, the discussion highlighted the challenge of balancing a safe blood supply with a donation system that feels fair and inclusive to more Filipinos.
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